Display device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a display device including a first dam surrounding the display area, a second dam surrounding the first dam, a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode overlapping the display area, a first sensor wiring and a second sensor wiring over the first dam and electrically connected to the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode, respectively, a first wiring under the second dam and electrically connected to the first sensor wiring at a first contact portion, and a second wiring under the second dam and electrically connected to the second sensor wiring at a second contact portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2022-049865 filed on Mar. 25, 2022, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a display device.

BACKGROUND

A display device employing an on-cell type touch sensor is known as onetype of display device to which flexible printed substrates are bonded(Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2019-74709). An electrodeused for a touch sensor is formed on a sealing layer of the touchsensor, and a wiring for transmitting a signal from the electrode to aflexible printed substrate is formed on the display device.

SUMMARY

A display device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a display area, a first dam surrounding the display area, asecond dam surrounding the display area and having cut surfaces at bothends, a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode overlappingthe display area, a first sensor wiring over the first dam andelectrically connected to the first sensor electrode, a second sensorwiring over the first dam and electrically connected to the secondsensor electrode, a first wiring under the second dam and electricallyconnected to the first sensor wiring at a first contact portion, and asecond wiring under the second dam and electrically connected to thesecond sensor wiring at a second contact portion. The first contactportion and the second contact portion are located between the first damand the second dam. The second dam has an overlap with the first wiringat a first overlap portion. The second dam has an overlap with thesecond wiring at a second overlap portion. The second dam has a concaveportion concaving toward the display area between the first overlapportion and the second overlap portion in a plan view.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a display area, a first dam surrounding the display area, asecond dam surrounding the display area and having cut surfaces at bothends, a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode overlappingthe display area, a first sensor wiring over the first dam andelectrically connected to the first sensor electrode, a second sensorwiring over the first dam and electrically connected to the secondsensor electrode, a first wiring under the second dam and electricallyconnected to the first sensor wiring at a first contact portion, and asecond wiring under the second dam and electrically connected to thesecond sensor wiring at a second contact portion. The first contactportion and the second contact portion are located between the first damand the second dam. The second dam has an overlap with the first wiringat a first overlap portion. The second dam has an overlap with thesecond wiring at a second overlap portion. The second dam has a concaveportion concaving toward the display area between the first overlapportion and the second overlap portion in a plan view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of a display device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In a display device that employs a touch sensor implemented with anexternal driving circuit such as a flexible printed substrate, amounting pad for mounting an external driving circuit needs to beinstalled in a surrounding area surrounding a display area. In addition,a wiring needs to be used to connect a mounting portion to an electrodeused for the touch sensor. These installations may broadly occupy thesurrounding area.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide adisplay device having a novel configuration. In addition, the narrowingof a frame of a display device is one of the issues.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings and the like. However, the presentinvention can be implemented in various aspects without departing fromthe gist thereof, and is not to be construed as being limited to thedescription of the embodiments exemplified below.

In the drawings, although the widths, thicknesses, shapes, and the likeof the respective portions may be schematically represented incomparison with the actual embodiments for clarity of explanation, thedrawings are merely examples, and do not limit the interpretation of thepresent invention. In the present specification and the drawings,elements having the same functions as those described with respect tothe above-described drawings are denoted by the same symbols, andredundant descriptions thereof may be omitted.

In this specification and claims, when expressing the manner ofarranging another structure on a certain structure, the term “on” shallinclude both arranging another structure directly above a certainstructure and arranging another structure over a certain structure viayet another structure, unless otherwise specified.

In this specification and claims, the phrase “a structure is exposedfrom another structure” means an aspect in which a part of a structureis not covered with another structure and includes an aspect that theportion not covered with this other structure is covered with yetanother structure.

In the present specification and claims, the term “end view” refers toan object cut vertically and viewed from the side. The end view shallinclude a view when viewed from the end. In addition, the term “planview” indicates when the object is viewed from directly above. A topview or plan view shall include a diagram when viewed in a plan view.

First Embodiment

1. Overall Configuration

In the present embodiment, a configuration of a display device 100 aaccording to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic topview of a display device according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the display device 100 a includes a substrate 102,and a plurality of pixels 104 and a touch sensor 106 are arranged on thesubstrate 102. Furthermore, a driving circuit 108, a mounting pad 110, afirst dam 112, and a second dam 114 are arranged in the display device100 a.

The display device 100 a includes a display area 116 and a surroundingarea 118 surrounding the display area 116. The plurality of pixels 104and the touch sensor 106 are arranged in the display area 116, and thedriving circuit 108, the mounting pad 110, the first dam 112, and thesecond dam 114 are arranged in the surrounding area 118. Althoughomitted in FIG. 1 , the display device 100 a further includes a countersubstrate 122 paired with the substrate 102 so as to overlap the displayarea 116 and the surrounding area 118, as illustrated by a dotted linein FIG. 2 , which will be described later.

Structures such as the plurality of pixels 104 described above and asensor electrode 124 can be arranged in the display area 116 and thesurrounding area 118 on the substrate 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the outershape of the substrate 102 may have an arc-shaped part. However, theouter shape of the substrate 102 may be a polygon or a rectangle. Inthis case, the outer shape of the substrate 102 is the outer shape ofthe display device 100 a cut out from a single substrate whenmanufacturing a plurality of display devices 100 a on a singlesubstrate.

For example, the plurality of pixels 104 is arranged in a row direction(direction X) and a column direction (direction Y) in the display area116. A light-emitting element (not shown) is arranged in each pixel 104and electrically connected to a transistor arranged in each pixel 104.For example, an organic electro luminescence (EL) element can bearranged in the light-emitting element. The organic EL element mayinclude a pair of electrodes serving as an anode and a cathode, anorganic layer containing an organic EL material, and an insulating pixeldefining layer (PDL) separating adjacent organic EL elements.

In addition, transistors (not shown) are arranged in each pixel 104.These transistors are electrically connected to the driving circuit 108and supplied with a signal from the driving circuit 108.

The driving circuit 108 that supplies a signal to the pixel 104 may bearranged between the display area 116 and the first dam 112. AlthoughFIG. 1 shows an example of an arrangement in which a plurality ofdriving circuits 108 sandwiches the display area 116, the presetembodiment is not limited to this arrangement.

The driving circuit 108 may be electrically connected to an externaldriving circuit via a wiring (not shown). The driving circuit 108 maydrive the pixel 104 according to a signal supplied from the externaldriving circuit. A driving IC (Integrated Circuit) can be used in theexternal driving circuit. The driving IC can supply a signal to thedriving circuit 108 via the mounting pad 110.

For example, a COF (Chip On Glass) can be used as the driving IC. Inaddition, for example, an FOG (Film On Glass) in which a wiringsubstrate is mounted on a plurality of terminals 126 for externalconnection using an anisotropic conductive film can be used as themounting pad 110. When installing the COF in the mounting pad 110 usingthe FOG, the COF is installed by thermocompression bonding with themounting pad 110 in a COF installation area 128 including the mountingpad 110 shown in FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the touch sensor 106 can be composed of a pluralityof sensor electrodes 124. Although the sensor electrode 124 shown inFIG. 1 is illustrated as a diamond having a diagonal in the direction Xand the direction Y, the present embodiment is not limited to thisshape.

A capacitive method, a resistance film method, or the like can be usedas the touch sensor 106. In the case where the capacitive method is usedfor the touch sensor 106, for example, the plurality of sensorelectrodes 124 may be arranged in a matrix in the display area 116, andeach may be connected in the row direction or the column direction. Thesensor electrode 124 connected in the row direction and the sensorelectrode 124 connected in the column direction are separated. Thesensor electrode connected in the row direction or column direction canserve as an electrode for transmitting or receiving signals,respectively. In addition, the sensor electrode 124 connected in the rowdirection or the column direction is electrically connected to theexternal driving circuit. One of the sensor electrodes 124 connected inthe row direction or column direction may be supplied with a signal fromthe external driving circuit, and the other may supply the signal to theexternal driving circuit.

Similar to the external driving circuit for the pixel 104, the drivingIC can be used as a driving circuit for driving the sensor electrode124. The sensor electrode 124 is electrically connected to the drivingIC via the mounting pad 110 that is electrically connected to a sensorwiring 130 (a sensor wiring 130-1 and a sensor wiring 130-2). Theabove-described FOG or COF can be used for the mounting pad 110 and thedriving IC.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor wiring 130 and the mounting pad 110 areelectrically connected by the sensor wiring 130 and a wiring 138 beingdirectly or electrically connected at a contact 132 and the wiring 138being directly or electrically connected to the mounting pad 110.Although not shown, the sensor wiring 130 is arranged from one side ofthe sensor electrode 124 connected in the row direction or columndirection, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor wiring 130 isdirectly or electrically connected to the wiring 138 at the contact 132arranged on the left and right sides of the mounting pad 110 in a planview. A plurality of contacts 132-1 arranged on the left of the mountingpad 110 and a plurality of contacts 132-2 arranged on the right of themounting pad 110 are included in a contact portion 134-1 and a contactportion 134-2, respectively.

The contact portion 134-1 and the contact portion 134-2 are arrangedbetween the first dam 112 surrounding the display area 116 and thesecond dam 114 surrounding the first dam and separated. In addition, thecontact portion 134-1 and the contact portion 134-2 secure a spacebetween the first dam 112 and the second dam 114 for contacting thesensor wiring 130 and the wiring 138.

The sensor wiring 130 electrically connected to the contact portion134-1 overlaps the first dam 112 at an overlap portion 136-1 of thefirst dam 112 between the sensor electrode 124 and the contact portion134-1. In addition, the sensor wiring 130 electrically connected to thecontact portion 134-2 overlaps the first dam 112 at an overlap portion136-2 of the first dam 112 between the sensor electrode 124 and thecontact portion 134-2. Further, the wiring 138 electrically connected tothe contact portion 134-1 overlaps the second dam 114 at an overlapportion 140-1 of the second dam 114 between the mounting pad 110 and thecontact portion 134-1. In addition, the wiring 138 electricallyconnected to the contact portion 134-2 overlaps the second dam 114 at anoverlap portion 140-2 of the second dam 114 between the mounting pad 110and the contact portion 134-2.

As described above, although the first dam 112 and the second dam 114overlap the wiring 138 and the sensor wiring 130 that are directly orelectrically connected to the contact portion 134, they do not overlapthe contact portion 134. The contact portion 134, the first dam 112, andthe second dam 114 are arranged at a distance to secure a space forcontacting the sensor wiring 130 and the wiring 138.

Further, the second dam 114 is arranged at a constant distance from themounting pad 110. In addition, the second dam 114 is arranged at aconstant distance from the COF installation area 128 for installingfilms or the like where the driving IC is mounted on the mounting pad110. The constant distance may be any distance that has little effect onthe second dam 114 due to thermocompression bonding when installing theCOF or the like in the COF installation area 128. Specifically, theconstant distance may be a distance that does not cause scorching of thesecond dam 114 due to the thermocompression bonding or breakage of thesecond dam 114.

In order to bring the above-described arrangement, the mounting pad 110,and the COF installation area 128 closer to the display area 116, thesecond dam 114 has a concave portion 142, which concaves toward thedisplay area 116 in a plan view, between the overlap portion 140-1 andthe overlap portion 140-2 of the second dam 114. The concave portion 142of the second dam 114 is located between the first dam 112 and themounting pad 110 and may be arranged between the contact portion 134-1and the contact portion 134-2. As described above, the concave portion142 of the second dam 114 is arranged at a constant distance from thecontact portion 134-1, the contact portion 134-2, and the COFinstallation area 128.

The second dam 114 is arranged as described above at the periphery ofthe mounting pad 110 and the contact portion 134, and the outer shape ofthe second dam 114 may have an arc-shaped part as shown in FIG. 1 .

The outer shape of the first dam 112 surrounded by the second dam 114may also have an arc-shaped part. Although FIG. 1 shows an example inwhich the first dam 112 and the second dam 114 have an arcuate shape,they are not limited to this shape as long as they have a shape adaptedto the outer shape of the display device 100 a.

Further, the counter substrate 122 is arranged so as to cover the insideof the substrate 102 from the second dam 114. The counter substrate 122protects the structures on the substrate 102, such as the sensorelectrode 124 and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer shape of thecounter substrate 122 may have a shape along the outer shape of thesubstrate 102. However, the counter substrate 122 is arranged away fromthe mounting pad 110 and the COF installation area 128, and is arrangedat a position that does not hinder the mounting of the driving IC or thelike.

2. Substructure

2-1. Substructure-1

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a substructure 144-1 of the displaydevice 100 a surrounded by a chain line shown in FIG. 1 , and FIG. 3shows a schematic top view of a substructure 144-2 of the display device100 a surrounded by the chain line shown in FIG. 1 . Hereinafter, thesame configuration as in FIG. 1 may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2 , since the second dam 114 has the concave portion142 towards the display area 116, a length 146 between the second dam114 and the first dam in the concave portion 142 is shorter than alength 148-1 between the second dam and the first dam 112 in the contactportion 134-1.

Specifically, the length 146 between the first dam 112 and the seconddam 114 shown in FIG. 2 is shorter than the length 148-1 between theoverlap portion 136-1 of the first dam 112 and the overlap portion 140-1of the second dam 114. In this case, the first dam 112 defining thelength 146 is between the adjacent overlap portion 136-1 and the overlapportion 136-2. In addition, the second dam 114 defining the length 146is between the adjacent overlap portion 140-1 and the overlap portion140-2. In this case, the sensor wiring 130 overlapping the overlapportion 136-1 and the wiring 138 overlapping the overlap portion 140-1are directly and/or electrically connected at the contact 132-1.

In addition, the length between the first dam 112 and the second dam 114can be defined similarly in FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 3 , since thesecond dam 114 has the concave portion 142 toward the display area 116,the length 146 between the second dam 114 and the first dam 112 in theconcave portion 142 is shorter than a length 148-2 between the seconddam 114 and the first dam 112 in the contact portion 134-2.

Specifically, the length 146 between the first dam 112 and the seconddam 114 shown in FIG. 3 is shorter than the length 148-2 between theoverlap portion 136-2 of the first dam 112 and the overlap portion 140-2of the second dam 114. In this case, the first dam 112 defining thelength 146 as described above is between the adjacent overlap portion136-1 and the overlap portion 136-2. In this case, the sensor wiring 130overlapping the overlap portion 136-2 and the wiring 138 overlapping theoverlap portion 140-2 are directly and/or electrically connected at thecontact 132-2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 , the wiring 138 having an overlap at theoverlap portion 140-1 can be electrically connected to the terminal 126mounted on the mounting pad 110 via a terminal wiring 150. In this case,the wiring 138 and the terminal wiring 150 may be directly and/orelectrically connected at a contact 152. The terminal wiring 150 may becovered with an insulating film 154 between the contact 152 and theterminal 126.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 , the wiring 138 having an overlap atthe overlap portion 140-2 can be electrically connected to the terminal126 mounted on the mounting pad 110 via the terminal wiring 150. In thiscase, the wiring 138 and the terminal wiring 150 may be directly and/orelectrically connected at the contact 152. The terminal wiring 150 maybe covered with the insulating film 154 between the contact 152 and theterminal 126.

2-2. Cross-Sectional Structure-1

FIG. 4 shows a schematic end view along a chain line A1-A2 shown in FIG.1 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , in the display device 100 a, a base film 156 and aninsulating film 158 are arranged on the substrate 102, and the wiring138 is arranged on the insulating film 158. Further, an interlayer film160 is arranged on the wiring 138 and the insulating film 158, and thesecond dam 114 is arranged on the interlayer film 160. In this case, thewiring 138 and the second dam 114 overlap at the overlap portion 140-1and the overlap portion 140-2 of the second dam 114.

In the second dam 114, a second dam layer 114 b is arranged on a seconddam layer 114 a so as to cover the second dam layer 114 a. A protectivefilm 164 is arranged on the second dam layer 114 b, and a protectivefilm 166 is arranged on the protective film 164. An overcoat layer 168is further arranged on the protective film 166.

The counter substrate 122 may be arranged on the overcoat layer 168. Asshown in FIG. 4 , the counter substrate 122 may have an adhesive layer170 on a surface facing the overcoat layer 168. Although FIG. 4 showsthe structure of the second dam 114 surrounding the display area 116 andthe structures around the structure, there is no restriction on thestructures, and various structures can be used.

Although the second dam 114 is arranged to surround the first dam 112without a break in FIG. 1 , the second dam 114 is separated in across-section along a line such as A1-A2 shown in FIG. 4 , whichconnects the overlap portion 140-1 and the overlap portion 140-2,because the second dam 114 has the concave portion 142 concaving towardthe display area 116 at the periphery of the mounting pad 110.

2-3. Cross-Sectional Structure-2

FIG. 5 shows a schematic end view along a chain line B1-B4 shown in FIG.2 . Hereinafter, an explanation of the same configuration as in FIG. 4may be omitted.

The display device 100 a has the substrate 102 as described above, andfor example, a glass or quartz substrate, or an organic resin substratecan be used as the substrate 102. In the case of using an organic resinsubstrate, the substrate 102 may have flexibility.

As described above, the base film 156 may be arranged on the substrate102. The base film 156 can prevent contamination from the substrate 102,and for example, an inorganic insulating material can be used. Forexample, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, and composites thereof can beused as the inorganic insulating material.

As described above, the insulating film 158 may be arranged on the basefilm 156. Although not shown, the insulating film 158 in the displayarea 116 may serve as a gate insulating film of the transistors includedin the pixel 104 and the driving circuit 108. The same material as thebase film 156 may be used for the insulating film 158.

A signal line 172 may be arranged on the insulating film 158 in thedisplay area 116, and the wiring 138 may be arranged on the insulatingfilm 158 in the surrounding area. A signal is supplied from the drivingcircuit 108 to each pixel 104 shown in FIG. 1 via the signal line 172.Alternatively, the signal line 172 may function as a power supply linethat supplies a constant potential to the pixel 104. As described above,the wiring 138 may function as a wiring that transmits a signal betweenthe external driving circuit and the touch sensor 106 shown in FIG. 1 .For example, a material containing titanium, aluminum, copper,molybdenum, or the like as a main component can be used for the signalline 172 and the wiring 138, and these materials can be used in a singlelayer or a stacked layer.

The interlayer film 160 may be arranged so as to cover the signal line172 and the wiring 138. The interlayer film 160 may also serve as aplanarization film for the signal line 172 or the wiring 138. The samematerial for the base film 156 may be used for the interlayer film 160.

The terminal wiring 150 connected to the wiring 138 at the contact 152may be arranged on the wiring 138 and the interlayer film 160. The samematerial for the signal line 172 and the wiring 138 may be used for theterminal wiring 150.

A planarization film 174 may be arranged on the interlayer film 160 andthe signal line 172 in the display area 116. Further, the first dam 112and the second dam 114 are arranged on the interlayer film 160 in thesurrounding area 118. The second dam 114 is arranged on the interlayerfilm 160 so as to overlap the wiring 138. Further, the insulating film154 contiguous with the second dam 114 may be arranged on the terminalwiring 150. The insulating film 154 may be formed at the same time asthe second dam 114 and may be formed, for example, by halftone-exposingand etching a second dam layer 114 a of the films forming the second dam114.

In this case, the terminal wiring 150 arranged under the insulating film154 has a portion exposed from the insulating film 154 in the COFinstallation area 128, which may be the terminal 126 of the mounting pad110.

The same materials as the signal line 172 and the wiring 138 can be usedfor the terminal 126 and the terminal wiring 150. In addition, amaterial such as an acryl resin or an organic resin containingpolysiloxane, polyimide, polyester, or the like can be used for theplanarization film 174, a first dam layer 112 a, the second dam layer114 a, and the insulating film 154.

Further, a spacer 176 and a pixel defining layer 177 may be arranged onthe planarization film 174. The pixel defining layer 177 functions as abarrier that defines the pixel 104. In addition, the pixel defininglayer 177 is arranged so as to cover the end portion of the electrode ofthe light-emitting element arranged in the pixel 104. The spacer 176 maybe arranged on the pixel defining layer 177 and may have a function ofsupporting a fine mask used in a manufacturing process of thelight-emitting element of the pixel 104, for example, a vapor depositionprocess. The pixel defining layer 177 may be formed by halftone exposurein the process of forming the spacer 176. In addition, in the sameprocess as the process of forming the spacer 176, a second dam layer 112b and the second dam layer 114 b can be formed on the first dam layer112 a and the second dam layer 114 a, respectively. An organic resinmaterial such as an epoxy resin or an acryl resin can be used for thespacer 176, the pixel defining layer 177, the second dam 112 b layer,and the second dam layer 114 b formed in these processes.

A first passivation film 178 is arranged on the spacer 176 and in anarea surrounded by the first dam 112 and the second dam 114 in a planview. The display area 116 is included in the area surrounded by thefirst dam 112 and the second dam 114, and if the organic EL element isused in the pixel 104, the first passivation film 178 can suppressimpurities from entering the organic EL element. The first passivationfilm 178 may be formed in the same layer as the protective layer 164formed on the second dam 114. For example, an inorganic compound such assilicon oxide or silicon nitride can be used for the first passivationfilm 178 and the protective film 164.

A cover layer 180 is arranged on the first passivation film 178 and inan area surrounded by the first dam 112 in a plan view. The cover layer180 can planarize the pixel 104 and if the light-emitting element isarranged in the pixel 104, the light-emitting element can be protectedfrom impurities. The same material as the insulating film 154 can beused for the cover layer 180.

A second passivation film 182 may be arranged on the cover layer 180 andin an area surrounded by the first dam 112 and the second dam 114 in aplan view. The second passivation film 182 may be formed in the samelayer as the protective layer 166. Therefore, an inorganic compound suchas silicon nitride can be used for the second passivation film 182.

A plurality of different types of films, such as the cover layer 180 andthe second passivation film 182 described above, can planarize the pixel104 and prevent impurities from entering the light-emitting elementarranged on the pixel 104, so that a structure such as the touch sensor106 and the like can be arranged on the pixel 104 in the display area116.

The sensor electrode 124 may be arranged on the second passivation film182 in the display area 116. Since the sensor electrode 124 is arrangedin the display area 116, for example, a transparent conductive film ofindium-tin oxide (ITO), indium-zinc oxide (IZO), and zinc oxide (ZnO)having conductivity, or a light transmittance oxide that can ensurevisibility of a displayed image such as indium-tin-zinc oxide (ITZO) canbe used for the sensor electrode 124.

In addition, the sensor wiring 130 connected to the sensor electrode 124and the wiring 138 is arranged on the second passivation film 182. Sincethe second passivation film 182 is also arranged on the first dam 112,the sensor wiring 130 is also arranged on the first dam 112. The samematerial as the signal line 172 and the wiring 138 can be used for thesensor wiring 130.

Further, the overcoat layer 168 is arranged so as to cover the sensorelectrode 124 and the sensor wiring 130. The overcoat layer 168 isarranged in an area surrounded by the second dam 114 in a plan view. Thesame material as the cover layer 180 can be used for the overcoat layer168.

The counter substrate 122 may be arranged on the overcoat layer 168. InFIG. 5 , although an example in which the counter substrate 122 isarranged so as to overlap the overcoat layer 168 is shown, it issufficient that the counter substrate 122 may be arranged on a structurearranged on the substrate 102. A film, glass, or the like functioning asa polarization plate can be used as the counter substrate 122. Inaddition, the counter substrate 122 has a function of protecting astructure arranged on the substrate 102, for example, the pixel 104, thetouch sensor 106, and the like. Further, when bonding the countersubstrate 122 and the substrate 102, for example, an adhesive with arefractive index close to the material of the counter substrate 122,such as OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive), can be processed into a surfacefacing the structure on the substrate 102.

3. Modification of First Dam

3-1. Modification 1

As shown in FIG. 6 , the first dam 112 having a convex portion 184 canbe arranged in a display device 100 b. The first dam 112 may have theconvex portion 184 protruding to the outer side of the substrate 102 atthe periphery of the contact portion 134. The first dam 112 has aportion (the convex portion 184) that is convex toward the second dam114 rather than the overlap portion 136-1 and the overlap portion 136-2in a plan view between the overlap portion 136-1 and the overlap portion136-2. In this case, the convex portion 184 of the first dam 112 isarranged opposite the concave portion 142 of the second dam 114. Inaddition, the convex portion 184 of the first dam 112 and the concaveportion 142 of the second dam 114 are located between the contactportion 134-1 and the contact portion 134-2. Further, the convex portion184 of the first dam 112 and the concave portion 142 of the second dam114 are located between the mounting pad 110 and the display area 116.

3-2. Modification 2

As shown in FIG. 7 , the first dam 112 may have a concave portion 188toward the display area 116 in an area sandwiched by the mounting pad110 and the display area 116. In this case, if a display device 100 cincludes the plurality of contact portions 134 sandwiching the concaveportion 142 of the second dam 114, it can be said that the first dam 112has a convex portion toward the contact portion 134.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 , a plurality of sensor wirings 130 isconnected to the contact portion 134, and the plurality of sensorwirings 130 overlap each other between the first dam 112 and theplurality of overlap portions 136. In other words, it can be said thatthe first dam 112 has a convex portion toward the second dam 114 in anarea where the plurality of overlap portions 136 is located.

4. Modification of Product Outer Shape

In the following description, a modification of the outer shape of thesubstrate 102 is shown as the product outer shapes of a display device100 d and a display device 100 e.

4-1. Modification 1

A polygonal substrate 102 can be arranged in the display device 100 d.FIG. 8 shows an example in which a rectangular substrate 102 is arrangedin the display device 100 d. The first dam 112 and the second dam 114have portions shaped along the outer shape of the substrate 102.Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 , when the substrate 102 is rectangular,the outer shape of the first dam 112 may be rectangular.

In addition, in the display device 100 e, as shown in FIG. 9 , the firstdam 112 may have the convex portion 184 toward the second dam 114between the display area 116 and the concave portion 142 of the seconddam 114. In this case, the outer shape of the first dam 112 may have ashape adapted to the outer shape of the substrate 102 except for theconvex portion 184.

Since the second dam 114 has the concave portion 142 toward the firstdam 112 between the mounting pad 110 and the first dam 112 and betweenthe contact portion 134-1 and the contact portion 134-2, except for theconcave portion 142 it is possible to have a shape along the outer shapeof the substrate 102.

Therefore, since the first dam 112 and the second dam 114 may have ashape along the outer shape of the substrate 102, they can be adapted tothe substrate 102 having various shapes.

The display device 100 includes the display area 116, the first dam 112surrounding the display area 116, the second dam 114 surrounding thefirst dam 112, and the mounting pad 110 connected to the externaldriving circuit for supplying a signal to the touch sensor 106 arrangedin the display area 116, and the mounting pad 110 is arranged betweenthe outer shape of the substrate 102 and the second dam 114. In thiscase, the second dam 114 has the concave portion 142 toward the firstdam 112 between the mounting pad 110 and the first dam 112. Further, thesecond dam 114 has the concave portion 142 toward the first dam 112between the contact portion 134-1 and the contact portion 134-2 locatedbetween the first dam 112 and the second dam 114. Since the second damhas the concave portion 142 arranged in this way, the mounting pad 110can be arranged proximate to the display area 116 while ensuring acertain distance from the second dam 114, and the contact portion 134can be arranged proximate to the display area 116 while maintaining acertain distance between the first dam 112 and the second dam 114.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the display area 116 canbe made wider by the first dam 112 having the convex portion toward thesecond dam between the display area 116 and the concave portion of thesecond dam 114.

Therefore, applying the present embodiment makes it possible to arrangethe structures such as the mounting pad 110 and the contact portion 134efficiently in the surrounding area 118 of the display device 100 e, thedisplay area 116 can occupy a wide area on the substrate 102, and it ispossible to provide the display device 100 with a narrowed frame.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, a configuration of a display device 200according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.Descriptions of the same or similar configurations as those of the firstembodiment may be omitted.

1. Overall Configuration

One of the differences between the display device 200 and the displaydevice 100 of the first embodiment is that the display device 200 hasthe second dam having a portion surrounding the outer shape of theproduct or the outer shape of a substrate 202. Further, one of thedifferences between the display device 200 and the display device 100 ofthe first embodiment is that a second dam 214 has a cut surface 286obtained by cutting the product of the display device 200 because theouter shape of the product or the outer shape of the substrate 202 islocated between a first dam 212 and the second dam 214.

Specifically, the second dam 214 shown in FIG. 10 is composed of asecond dam 214-1 and a second dam 214-2. The second dam 214-2 that iscut off by the product-cutting of the display device 200 is indicated bya two-dot chain line, and the second dam 214-1 remaining on thesubstrate 202 is indicated by a solid line.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the second dam 214-1 is arranged between the outershapes of the first dam 212 and the substrate 202, and the second dam214-2 is arranged so as to sandwich the outer shapes of the first dam212 and the substrate 202. That is, the outer shape of the substrate 202is located between the first dam 212 and the second dam 214-2.

The second dam 214-1 is a range from a cut surface 286-1 on thesubstrate 202 to a cut surface 286-2, and the second dam 214-2 is thesecond dam except for this range. As a result, the second dam 214including a concave portion 242 becomes the second dam 214-1. Inaddition, the concave portion 242 of the second dam 214 is locatedbetween the cut surface 286-1 and the cut surface 286-2.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the second dam 214-1 is arranged between themounting pad 210 and the first dam 212, and has the cut surfaces 286 atboth ends thereof. In this case, the cut surface of the overcoat layer268 and the cut surface 286 of the second dam 214 are the cut surface286-1 along A1 shown in FIG. 4 and the cut surface 286-2 along A2 shownin FIG. 4 . Therefore, the cut surface of the overcoat layer 268arranged on a sensor electrode 224 and the second dam 214 and the cutsurface 286 of the second dam 214 may be flush with each other. However,since the cut surfaces of the overcoat layer 268 and the second dam 214are formed when the outer shape of the substrate 202 is cut, a state inwhich there is substantially no step between the cut surface of theovercoat layer 268 and the cut surface 286 of the second dam 214 isflush.

2. Modification of First Dam

2-1. Modification 1

The first dam 212 having a convex portion 284 may be arranged in adisplay device 200 b. The first dam 212 may have the convex portion 284toward the outer shape of the substrate 202 at the periphery of thecontact portion 234. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first dam212 has the convex portion 284 between the second dam 214-1 and adisplay area 216. If the display area 216 as shown in FIG. 11 iscircular, the display area 216 can be made wider because it is possibleto secure a wider space between the first dam 212, and the displaydevice 200 b can be made with a narrowed frame.

2-2. Modification 2

The first dam 212 having a concave portion 288 may be arranged in adisplay device 200 c. As shown in FIG. 12 , the concave portion 288toward the display area 216 may be arranged in the first dam 212. Asshown in FIG. 12 , the first dam 212 has the concave portion 288 betweenthe second dam 214-1 and the display area 216. Since the first dam 212and the second dam 214 have the concave portion 288 and the concaveportion 242 between the mounting pad 210 and the display area 216, themounting pad 210 can be arranged closer to the display area 216 than inthe display device 200 b.

3. Modification of Product Outer Shape

In the following description, a modification of the outer shape of thesubstrate 202 is shown as a product outer shape of a display device 200d.

3-1. Modification 1

The display device 200 d may have a polygonal substrate 202. FIG. 13shows an example in which the substrate 202 of the display device 200 dor the product outer shape is a rectangle. If the substrate 202 or theproduct outer shape is a rectangle, when manufacturing the plurality ofdisplay devices 200 d on one substrate, a space between the adjacentdisplay devices 200 d can be used efficiently.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the outer shape of the first dam 212 is polygonalsimilar to the substrate 202. In addition, if the outer shape of thesecond dam 214-2 is a shape along the outer shape of the substrate 202,when manufacturing a plurality of display devices 200 d on onesubstrate, a space between the adjacent display devices 200 d can beused efficiently. In particular, as shown in FIG. 13 , if the second dam214-2 is a rectangle, it is possible to use the space between theadjacent display devices 200 d more efficiently.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14 , an example in which the first dam 212includes the convex portion 284 toward the second dam 214 between thedisplay area 216 and the concave portion 242 of the second dam 214 isshown.

In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , although an example in which the display area216 has a shape along the outer shape of the substrate 202 is shown, theshape of the display area 216 may not be the shape along the outer shapeof the substrate 202. For example, the display area 216 in FIG. 13 maybe circular as shown in FIG. 1 .

The display device 200 includes the first dam 212 surrounding thedisplay area 216, the second dam 214-1 arranged between the outer shapeof the substrate 202 and the first dam 212, and the second dam 214-2surrounding the outer shape of the substrate 202. The second dam 214-1has the concave portion 242 toward the first dam 212 between themounting pad 210 and the first dam, and the concave portion 242 isarranged between the mounting pad 210 and the first dam. The second dam214-2 is arranged outside the outer shape of the substrate 202. Withsuch an arrangement, the mounting pad 210 can be arranged proximate tothe display area 216 while ensuring a certain distance from the seconddam 214, and the contact portion 234 can be arranged proximate to thedisplay area 216 while maintaining a certain distance between the firstdam 212 and the second dam 214. Further, since the second dam 214-2 isarranged outside the outer shape of the substrate 202, the first dam 212may be arranged closer to the outer shape of the substrate 202. Thecloser arrangement of the first dam 212 creates a space between thefirst dam 212 and the display area 216. Arranging a driving circuit 208located between the first dam 212 and the display area 216 in this spacemakes it possible to widen the display area 216.

Therefore, applying the present embodiment makes it possible to arrangethe structures such as the mounting pad 210, the contact portion 234,and the driving circuit 208 efficiently in the surrounding area 118 ofthe display device 200, the display area 216 can occupy a wider area onthe substrate 202, and it is possible to provide the display device 200with a narrowed frame.

Each embodiment described above as embodiments of the present inventioncan be implemented in combination as appropriate as long as they do notcontradict each other. In addition, those skilled in the art couldappropriately add, delete or change the design of the constituentelements based on the display device of each embodiment, or add, omit orchange conditions as long as it does not depart from the concept of thepresent invention and such changes are included within the scope of thepresent invention.

Further, it is understood that, even if the effect is different fromthose provided by each of the above-described embodiments, the effectobvious from the description in the specification or easily predicted bypersons ordinarily skilled in the art is apparently derived from thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display area; afirst dam surrounding the display area; a second dam surrounding thefirst dam; a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrodeoverlapping the display area; a first sensor wiring over the first damand electrically connected to the first sensor electrode; a secondsensor wiring over the first dam and electrically connected to thesecond sensor electrode; a first wiring under the second dam andelectrically connected to the first sensor wiring at a first contactportion; and a second wiring under the second dam and electricallyconnected to the second sensor wiring at a second contact portion,wherein, the first contact portion and the second contact portion arelocated between the first dam and the second dam, the second dam has anoverlap with the first wiring at a first overlap portion, the second damhas an overlap with the second wiring at a second overlap portion, andthe second dam has a concave portion concaving toward the display areabetween the first overlap portion and the second overlap portion in aplan view.
 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, thefirst dam has an overlap with the first sensor wiring at a third overlapportion, the first dam has an overlap with the second sensor wiring at afourth overlap portion, and the first dam has a convex portionprotruding toward the second dam between the third overlap portion andthe fourth overlap portion in the plan view.
 3. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein an outer shape of the first dam is apolygon.
 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein an outershape of the first dam has an arc-shaped part.
 5. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein, the first dam has an overlap with thefirst sensor wiring at a third overlap portion, the first dam has anoverlap with the second sensor wiring at a fourth overlap portion, alength between the second dam between the first overlap portion and thesecond overlap portion and the first dam between the third overlapportion and the fourth overlap portion is shorter than a first lengthbetween the first overlap portion and the third overlap portion and asecond length between the second overlap portion and the fourth overlapportion.
 6. A display device comprising: a display area; a first damsurrounding the display area; a second dam surrounding the display areaand having cut surfaces at both ends; a first sensor electrode and asecond sensor electrode overlapping the display area; a first sensorwiring over the first dam and electrically connected to the first sensorelectrode; a second sensor wiring over the first dam and electricallyconnected to the second sensor electrode; a first wiring under thesecond dam and electrically connected to the first sensor wiring at afirst contact portion; and a second wiring under the second dam andelectrically connected to the second sensor wiring at a second contactportion, wherein, the first contact portion and the second contactportion are located between the first dam and the second dam, the seconddam has an overlap with the first wiring at a first overlap portion, thesecond dam has an overlap with the second wiring at a second overlapportion, and the second dam has a concave portion concaving toward thedisplay area between the first overlap portion and the second overlapportion in a plan view.
 7. The display device according to claim 6,wherein, the first dam has an overlap with the first sensor wiring at athird overlap portion, the first dam has an overlap with the secondsensor wiring at a fourth overlap portion, and the first dam has aconvex portion protruding toward the second dam between the thirdoverlap portion and the fourth overlap portion in the plan view.
 8. Thedisplay device according to claim 6, wherein an outer shape of the firstdam is a polygon.
 9. The display device according to claim 6, wherein anouter shape of the first dam has an arc-shaped part.
 10. The displaydevice according to claim 6, wherein, the first dam has an overlap withthe first sensor wiring at a third overlap portion, the first dam has anoverlap with the second sensor wiring at a fourth overlap portion, alength between the second dam between the first overlap portion and thesecond overlap portion and the first dam between the third overlapportion and the fourth overlap portion is shorter than a first lengthbetween the first overlap portion and the third overlap portion and asecond length between the second overlap portion and the fourth overlapportion.
 11. The display device according to claim 6 further comprising:an overcoat layer over the first senser electrode, wherein a cut surfaceof the overcoat layer is flush with the cut surface of the second dam.